Trigger construction



y 1939- L. c. HUQK v 25159590 v TRIGGER CONISTRUC'I'IOIN Original Filed March 6, 1936 4 5 l9 fiii. 29 40 g9- V /a a a I ,5, ,s/

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Patented May 23, 1939 PATENT OFFICE TRIGGER. CONSTRUCTION Louis Huck, Grosse Pointe Village, Mich, assignor to HuxonHolding Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Original application March 6, 1936, Serial No. 67,458, now Patent No. 2,132,112, dated October Divided and this application September 17, 1936, Serial No. 101,203

11 Claims. (01. -52) The invention relates to an improved trigger control mechanism for the handle of a power operated hand supported tool or instrumentality wherein operation'of the instrumentality is controlled by manual operation of the trigger. This application is a division of applicants co-pending application Serial No. 67,458, filed March 6, 1936, now Patent No. 2,132,112, patented October 4, 1938, wherein the present invention is disclosed m in connection with a hydraulic riveting gun.

The general object of the invention is to provide a handle for an instrumentality oi the type mentioned so formed that the hand of the operator may engage the same with equal facility l5 from either side of the handle, in combination with a duplicate control trigger mechanism whereby the index finger of the hand which engages the handle may control the instrumentality in both positions of the hand with respect to the handle in order that the operator may readily 20 control the operation of the instrumentality regardless of the position it assumes.

A more specific object is to provide a handle for a power operated hand supported instrumentality which handle has two triggers, one at each 25 end of the hand engaging portion, and a common control device operable by either of the triggers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for a pair of independently operable triggers adapted to permit operation of a common control device thereby.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawing, the specification and the appended claims.

In the drawing wherein like numerals are applied to like parts in the several views:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a power operated rivet gun showing the improved handle construction in longitudinal section.

' Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rivet gun and handle.v

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the rivet gun and I handle.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-t of 45 Fig 1' I V In the drawing the improved handle and trigger assembly is shown in connection with a rivet gun of the type disclosed in detail in applicant's aforementioned application, Serial No. 67,458..

ent invention controls the supply of fluid under pressure to said motor through suitable conduits, such as M and I5. 11; is apparent that while the invention is disclosed herein in-connection with a hydraulic rivet gun, it is equally applicable to electrical, or fluid pressure operated hand supported instrumentalities of other types such as power operated drills, saws, hammers, chisels and the like, which are supported at least in part by the operator through a suitable handle and which have a manually operated control device associated therewith.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the handle, indicated generally at It includes a base portion 51 secured to the top of the casing in by any suitable means, such as stud bolts l8, and a hollow hand engagingportion l9 connected integrally at each end to the corresponding end of the base portion ll by curved connecting portions 20 and 2i respectively. It will be noted that the hand engaging portion is symmetrically proportioned with respect to the axis of the gun and is parallel therewith. In addition, the handle is preferably positioned above the center of gravity of the gun in order that the gun will remain in level position when suspended by the handle during horizontal riveting. It will be observed that when the gun is used in a horizontal position and is suspended from the handle 16 that the index finger of the hand of the operator which engages the handle will lie at the forward or left hand end of the handle as viewed in Fig. 1, whereas if the gun is used to operate downwardly in a vertical direction the index finger of the hand of the operator will lie at the right hand end of the gun as viewed in Fig. '1. It willbe observed that this result is not peculiar to rivet guns but occurs with respect to the supporting handle of any hand supported instrumentality of the type mentioned when it is utilized in difierent positions. Accordingly, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a duplicate trigger mechanism adapted for engagement by the index finger of either hand of the operator which engages the handle regardless of the position of the gun or the position of the hand of the operator with respect to such handle. 7

Adjacent the opposite ends of the hand engaging portion the under side thereof .is cut away at 22 and 23 to provide openings for the receipt of trigger members 24 and 25 respectively. These trigger members are identical, though oppositely disposed, and each is connected to and supported by a single leaf spring 26 adjacent the opposite studs 32.

inserting one end of the spring in a slot 28 in the upper side of thetrigger and securing it in position therein by means of a pair of cross pins 29 carried by the trigger member. These pins may be secured to the trigger member in any desired manner and may, for example, constitute counter:

sunk studs extending across the slot 28 and threaded into the trigger member at one side of the slot, as best shown in Fig. 4.

The opposite ends of the leaf spring 26 extend through slots 30 in the handle portions 20 and 2| respectively, and are held in fixed position with respect to the handle by clips 3| which extend into transverse slots at the ends of the leaf spring at 33 and are secured to the handle by means of The leaf spring extends through the hollow portion of the handle and its intermediate portion 34 is twisted 90 with respect to the vertical end portions to provide increased flexibility in a vertical plane at the intermediate portion. In addition, the intermediate portion is provided with an offset inverted u-shaped central portion 35 engaging and partially surrounding a pin 36 and adapted to engage and operate the switch operating element 31 of a switch mechanism 38 fixedly carried bythe handle portion by means of pins 39. The pin 36 is fixed to the handle in any suitable manner. v V

For the purpose of limiting downward movement of the trigger elements and thereby preventing possible damage to the leaf spring and switch element 31, as well as other-parts of the switch, a stop 40 is provided above each trigger, as best shown in Fig. 4. These stops may take the form of countersunk studs extending through the handle portion l9 and threaded into one side of the wall thereof. The stops limit upward movement of the trigger elements to that movement required to operate the switch 38. Thus, even though the operator applies great pressure to one of the triggers, the flexing of the spring and actuation of the switch is effected in the same manner as if the trigger was moved easily against its stop. This arrangement is designed to promote durability of the switch actuating parts while at the same time to insure positive actuation of the switch.

The details of the switch mechanism 38 are not shown inasmuch as they form no part of the present invention, and the switch may be selected in accordance with the nature of the control desired. Thus, the switch may be either a single or double pole single throw switch, which either makes or breaks an electrical circuit or circuits when the trigger is pressed, or it may be a double throw switch which breaks one circuit and makes another when the trigger is pressed, as in the case of applicants aforementioned co-pending application. Moreover, it is apparent that if the instrumentality is subjected to a fluid pressure rather than electrical control that the switch 38 may be replaced by a suitable valve actuator adapted to control the fluid pressure. In any event, it is intended that the application of pressure to either one of the two triggers will eflect the performance of some function'by the instrumentality with which they are associated.

It is apparent that when either one of the triggers is pressed that the pressure will be transmitted directly to the leaf spring, 26 at the point at which that trigger is connected. Since this point is intermediate the extremities of the leaf spring, by which it is secured to the handle, the pressure will efiectan upward deflection or bowends of the latter. This connection is effected by ing of the central portion of the spring. Such upward movement of the central portion is utilized to operate the control device, which in the embodiment shown is the element 31 of an electrical switch 38 It will be noted that the connection between the leaf spring 26and the handle is of such nature that limited inward movement of the extremities of the spring is permitted during deflection thereof, but that bodily longitudinal movement is prevented by the engagement of U-shaped portion 35 with pin 36. The dimensions of the parts are so selected that the U-shaped portion embraces pin 36 at all times.

While only one embodiment of the invention is shown herein and described, it is apparent that others are available within the spirit of the accompanying drawing, the specification, and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A handle for a power operated portable tool including a hollow hand engaging portion having a pair of symmetrically disposed lateral openings posite ends of said portion respectively, a control. instrumentality positioned within said longitudinal opening, a pair of trigger members positionedinsaid lateral openings and a single resilient member operativeto transmit motion from either of' said trigger members to said control instrumentality for operating the same.

3. Ahandle for a power operated portable tool including a hand engaging portion having a longitudinally extending open space therein and a pair of symmetrically disposed lateral openings connecting with said longitudinal opening at opposite ends of said portion respectively, a control instrumentality positioned within said longitudinal opening, a pair of trigger members associated with the opposite ends of said hand engaging portion and having means extending through said lateral openings respectively, and a resilient element adapted to cooperate with said means extending through said openings for transmitting motion from either of said triggers to said control instrumentality for operating the same 4. A handle for a power operated portable tool includinga hand engaging portion having a longitudinally extending open space therein and a pair of symmetrically disposed lateral openings connecting with said longitudinal openingat opposite ends of said portion respectively, a leaf spring positioned with said longitudinal opening and connected 'at its ends to said handle at points spaced outwardly beyond said lateralopenings respectively, a pair of trigger members associated with said handle adjacent said lateral openings, and connecting said leaf spring at spac (1 points intermediate its ends, and a control instrumentality located within the longitudinally extending open space and adapted to be engaged and operated by the intermediate portions of the leaf spring.

5. A handle for a power operated portable tool including a hollow hand engaging portion, a leaf 7 spring positioned withinsaid portion and secured to said handle at points adjacent opposite ends of said hand engaging portion, a pair of triggers positioned adjacent the opposite'ends of said hand engaging portion and adapted to deflect the intermediate portion of said leaf sprin and' a control instrumentality within said handle adapted to be operated by the intermediate portion-of said leaf spring when the latter is deflected.

6. In combination, a rivet gun having a barrel,

a handle therefor having a hand engaging portion extending substantially parallel to the barrel, said hand engaging portion having symmetrically disposed openings therein at the inner side and located adjacent the opposite ends there-- of respectively, a pair oftriggers positioned'within said openings; and resilient means within the handle conn cting said triggers with a common control inst umentality.

'7. In combination, a rivet gun having a barrel, 1

a handle therefor having a hand engaging portion extending substantially parallel to the barrel, said hand engaging portion having a, longitudinally extending open space therein and a pair of symmetrically disposed lateral openings at opposite ends of said portion respectively and com- -municating with said longitudinal opening, a leaf leaf spring.

8. In combination, a supporting handle for a power operated portable tool including a hand engaging portion, a pair of triggers mounted on said hand engaging portion at opposite ends thereof respectively, and at the inner side thereof,

whereby one of said triggers is in position to I grasped by the index finger of the operator's hand when normally engaged with the handle from either side thereof, and a control means operable by-either of said triggers to perform the same control function. I

9. In combination, a supporting handle for a power operated portable too] including a hand engaging portion, a pair of triggers mounted on said hand engaging portion 'at opposite ends thereof respectively, and at the inner side thereof, whereby one of said triggers is in position to be grasped by the index finger of the operator's hand when normally engaged with the handle from either side thereof, a control instrumentality, and means connecting said triggers with said .control instrumentality to cause the same control function to be performed by either of said triggers.

10. A handle for a power operated portable tool including a hand engaging portion, a pair of triggers mounted on said hand engaging portion at opposite ends thereof respectively, and at the inner side thereof, whereby one of said triggers is in position to be grasped by the index finger of the operators hand when normally engaged.

with the handle from either side thereof, a control instrumentality positioned Within said hand engaging portion, and means connecting said triggers with said instrumentality.

11. A handle for a power operated portable too] including a hand engaging portion, a pair of 

